Description Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery

1 description

1.1 approaches , views
1.2 entrances , perimeter fencing
1.3 cemetery layout
1.4 avenue trees , other plantings
1.5 graves, monuments , memorials
1.6 cemetery structures

description

headstones, 2015

the drayton , toowoomba cemetery occupies site of on 30ha situated north of drayton , south-west of toowoomba, @ intersection of anzac avenue , south street, harristown. heritage boundary cemetery follows existing perimeter fencing encloses principal burial ground excludes vacant cemetery land bounded karina street west , alderley street south set aside in 1957 , 1987 cemetery purposes. water pumping station fronting anzac avenue, sits on small parcel of land excised in 1998 cemetery reserve, not included within heritage boundary.

approaches , views

the main approach direction of toowoomba, heading south along anzac avenue. north-eastern corner of cemetery, @ intersection south street, has curved brick wall modern metal sign (lettering: drayton & toowoomba cemetery) trees on either side, whilst angle in road along south street directs eye towards ornamental gates of main entrance. surrounded predominantly industrial development, cemetery stands out due green , park-like nature, mature trees , shrubs screening busy traffic along anzac avenue. less densely screened sides of cemetery south , west, gentle slopes covered in grave memorials , monuments visible, whilst long straight avenues of trees provide sense of size , scale of cemetery layout. within cemetery, distant landscape of hills west provides picturesque backdrop memorials.

entrances , perimeter fencing

the principal access via gates on south street, opposite hampton street. gates set ornamental wall, constructed of brick cement rendered ledges along tops , decorative end posts. metal gates made of thin strips bolted make pattern inside outer frame. 2 large gates in middle vehicular access , have cattle grids, , 2 smaller gates on either side use pedestrians.

the other entrance off anzac avenue , more subdued, 1 large double gate flanked thick timber posts , possessing cattle grid. gates of same style , construction found @ south street entrance.

perimeter fencing along northern , eastern boundaries consists of low cyclone-wire , metal post fencing concealed large cotoneaster hedges. rest of cemetery enclosed barbed , netted wire fencing metal posts. none of fencing appears early.

cemetery layout

the layout of cemetery demonstrates composite of styles reflecting changing attitudes towards memorialising dead , managing burials since mid-victorian era. expanding outwards grid-like core (established 1850) more informal lawn , memorial garden areas (from 1960s), , set within park-like setting established 1870s, evolution of layout styles results in variety of experiences visitors. of cemetery west of main entrance drive laid out in formal grid arrangement burial sections separated walkways , driveways (avenues), lined mature trees on 1 or both sides. main roadways running east-west labelled 1st avenue through 6th avenue, , burial sections consist of rectangular blocks of varying size. each block has discrete modern signage @ eastern corners identifying denominational sections: church of england (anglican), roman catholic, presbyterian, methodist, lutheran, , number of smaller sections in centre, including salvation army, church of christ, seventh day adventist, old baptist , congregationalist, public, infant, war cemetery, jewish, other protestant religions , muslim.

there number of lawn cemeteries established @ northern end of site, either side of main entrance drive. these contain both denominational , non-denominational sections. within north-eastern lawn cemetery memorial gardens , memorial lawn. western lawn cemetery includes forest lawn.

the cemetery office block, nearby public toilets, located on eastern side of main entrance drive, north of anzac avenue entrance. there utility shed in area. these recent structures , not of cultural heritage significance.

south of anzac avenue entrance, occupying eastern edge of cemetery, park-like section contains no burials or monuments. many varieties of trees planted here either in rows around edges or randomly in centre.

on northern edge of cemetery property facing south street timber building moved onto site in 2000s , houses family history society. building not considered of cultural heritage significance purposes of cemetery s queensland heritage register listing.

avenue trees , other plantings

the trees , plantings throughout site important part of design, due screening effect assists in creating atmosphere of peace , tranquillity within cemetery grounds. main entrance drive off south street runs north-south , extends approximately half length of cemetery, 3rd avenue. along entire length of drive equally spaced mature trees - alternating camphor laurels (cinnamomum camphora) , london plane (platanus acerifolia). first half of drive has dual road carriage, separated grass island central row of mature queen palms (arecastrum romanzoffianum). second half of drive has row of queen palms along western side.

several other avenues of mature trees located throughout cemetery. south of intersection third avenue, trees along drive change cypress (type unknown), italian cypress (cupressus sempervirens stricta) , cedar of lebanon (cedrus libani). far southern boundary defined queen , jelly palms (butia capitata) east , cypresses west. there various trees planted along western north-south roadway, including italian cypress. 1st avenue has magnificent row of large kauri pines east , italian cypresses. war cemetery encircled rows of cypress (type unknown) , large pines (most monterey pines, pinus radiata). 4th avenue possesses variety of species along length, whilst 5th avenue densely lined cedar of lebanon, camphor laurel , cypress. other distinctive trees in cemetery include large eucalypt in block pres5, , mature cook island pine in middle of family plot in old ce1.

the park-like section of trees along anzac avenue contains hoop pines (araucaria cunninghamii), cook island pines (araucaria columnaris), monterey pines, italian cypress, cypress (unidentified), canary island date palm (phoenix canariensis, south of pump station), camphor laurels (an avenue entrance drive anzac avenue gate), jacaranda (jacaranda mimosifolia) , single kauri pine (agathis robusta).

in eastern lawn cemetery there various rows , avenues of camphor laurels, cypress, italian cypress , golden cypress (cupressus macrocarpa brunniana aurea). placed along perimeter fencing london plane trees , cedar of lebanon. double row of hoop pines exists south of memorial lawn. western lawn cemetery , forest lawn contains gum trees (various species) , row of italian cypresses edges eastern side of forest lawn.

graves, monuments , memorials

sandstone headstone marble plaques, drayton , toowoomba cemetery, 2003

the many different styles of monuments , memorials found throughout cemetery reflect fashions of eras in created. many of these excellent examples of design work , craft skills of monumental masons. majority constructed sandstone or marble. have been affected erosion weather , staining rust, dirt, mould or lichen. there many granite monuments, both modest , grand, have less weathering. combinations of 2 or more of these materials common occurrence (for example, sandstone headstone marble or granite plaque attached). grave surrounds such concrete curbing and/or slabs commonly used throughout cemetery, decorated ceramic tiles or painted. other materials used surround or fill grave include bricks, stones , gravel. larger enclosures, such numerous family plots, delineated low fences of cast or wrought iron, of ornate. others have low concrete posts chains slung between them or connected metal poles. several have had trees planted within enclosures have grown on time, affecting position of monuments around them.

the more elaborate types of monuments found in cemetery, particularly in victorian , edwardian sections, demonstrate variety of monumental forms including vaults, mausoleums, ledger stones, obelisks, tables, sarcophagi , altars. of more distinctive tempietto-style monuments , twin-column memorials. vault , mausoleum found in south-east corner of old roman catholic section particularly eye-catching. 1937 vault, constructed of sandstone in neo-classical style, dedicated coorey family , includes 4 marble statures of figures such virgin mary , young boy. 1930s mccoldrick family mausoleum houses large , intricately carved angel statue in marble, surrounded 3 stained glass window panels supported between sandstone columns.

a wide range of victorian , edwardian era memorial symbols on display throughout cemetery, including calvary crosses, celtic crosses, draped urns, broken columns, broken chain, mourning angels , cherubs, carved garlands, flowers (passion flowers, roses, poppies), ivy, grapes, , clasped hands. each of these has particular symbolic meaning. ornamentation references deceased s occupation, hobby or sporting interest - such diver s helmet, tools, weaver s apron, tennis racquets , balls, cricket bat , stumps, motor cycles, , camera. there variety of grave ornaments, including many immortelles , urns holding flowers, , graves decorated sea shells. several graves , family plots have symbolic plantings, such olive trees (olea europaea) , cypresses.

headstone inscriptions demonstrate range of languages other english, including chinese, hebrew , german, illustrating presence of non-british immigrant populations in drayton-toowoomba district. inscriptions include interesting biographical information person s life or circumstances caused death.

monuments in mid late twentieth century sections tend more modest, upright slabs concrete grave surrounds or slab , desk monuments. 2 modern mausoleums , elaborate arched granite monument housing marble statues can found in rc9 , rc10. war cemetery section contains seating area, flagpole, brick columbarium, lawn cemetery, , gravelled area simple, uniformly-designed marble headstones placed around 2 memorials.

each grave in lawn cemeteries marked simple plaque set in concrete block @ ground level. memorial lawn has rows of small headstones set single concrete footing. both types of graves have small pots , vases flowers, set ground. memorial gardens scattering or storing ashes , there brick columbarium, surrounded garden beds planted rose bushes, located in 1 corner. other flowering bushes , small trees, associated particular graves, found throughout lawn cemeteries.

cemetery structures

there 3 shelter sheds (c. 1930) within cemetery grounds. these simple square timber structures made same design , orientated doorway facing north. each has hipped roof of marseilles tiles, sides in-filled timber lattice, dirt floor , 2 timber benches inside northern corners. 1 located in northern part of cemetery, on north-east corner of block ce6. shelter in centre, @ south-east corner of war cemetery, used store iron grave markers stacked against southern wall. southernmost shelter sits in middle of cemetery block pres3 on 5th ave.

there several timber posts within cemetery grounds may remnants of earlier fences. 2 painted white evidence of fixings (now removed) , decorative tops, 1 of located south of main office, other in middle of road along 5th avenue.